Cowen receives update on palliative care unit for Tullamore

An update on plans to progress the building of a 20-bed palliative care unit at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore was given at a high-level meeting yesterday (Monday) at which Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly, reiterated the commitment of the present Government to the long-awaited project.

The meeting, which was facilitated and chaired by Fianna Fáil TD for Laois-Offaly, Barry Cowen, included members of the Midlands Hospice Board, HSE officials, Oireachtas members from the four Midland counties of Offaly, Westmeath, Laois and Longford and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.

The meeting provided an update from Professor Humphrey O'Connor on how best to proceed and facilitate the design of a 20-bed palliative care unit with auxiliary services on the selected site at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore.

Deputy Cowen ensured this project was provided for in the Programme for Government, as a key member of the Fianna Fáil negotiation team.

Deputy Cowen commented, ''At the meeting, Minister Donnelly committed his continued support and that of the Government to this ongoing project. He along with HSE officials assured those present of their willingness to resolve some legal issues in order to clear the way to progress the facility.''